Why the World should say no to the NGO Bill in Zimbabwe

Freeafrica (September 22, 2004)
Editorial By Scott Morgan

this is “a satanic Piece of legislation designed to stifle Democracy.”

It is apparent that the recently introduced NGO Bill that is in the Parliament of Zimbabwe and is expected to pass in early October is coming under increasing scrutiny from within and outside that troubled African Republic. Earlier this month at a hearing of the Parliament Committee discussing the law over 20 Churches and Civil Liberties Groups testified that “In its current form this law should not be passed.” A Zimbabwe Student leader said that this is “a satanic Piece of legislation designed to stifle Democracy.” Some of the concerns addressed by the civic leaders were the potential powers granted to the Minister for Public Service, Labor and Social Welfare. Provisions call for the Minister to appoint ten members to a oversight committee while the Civil Service groups will elect 5. An AIDS Activist testified that this makes the body a Government Council not an NGO Council.

There are other provisions that limit the ability of Human Rights Groups to function. NGOs will not be allowed to receive any foreign funding. This will effectively force the majority of them to close down as they lose the major source of revenue they have. The Limitations are similar to the provisions of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).This law set up a Media and Information Commission which effectively silenced a Major critic of Government Abuses the Daily News. It is felt that AIPPA is used to “perpetuate President Mugabe’s Dictatorial Rule.” The timing of the law is unique. The head of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network stated at the hearing” the timing of the NGO Bill defeats the good intentions and developments set out by the SADC principles and guidelines concerning democratic elections.

The concern over the NGO Bill has reached into the Civil Society Group in Neighboring States like Botswana. That country has seen an increase in illegal immigration and the government of Zimbabwe sought the assistance of Botswana in suppressing what it deemed to be illegal broadcasts. Civic Society Groups in Malawi, South Africa and Namibia have expressed concern over this bill and if this bill passes in Zimbabwe a similar bill can be expected in Namibia. This will be another serious blow to Human Rights.

Finally the rich western nations are noticing this horrendous bill. The International Bar Association review the legislation and in a report stated that “it is clear that the scope of the Government Assault on sources of Opposition and Information has gone into the civil Service. Specifically those groups that work on Human Rights issues are targeted. The Zimbabwe Reference Group a coalition of Canadian Civil Service Groups toured South Africa and Zimbabwe earlier this year. Not only did they recommend a greater role by Canada in this crisis by supporting Civil Society Groups also a proposal for a Africa wide Diplomatic Initiative was called for. It also called for the Prime Minister of Canada to appoint a Special Envoy to work with its fellow states in the commonwealth and in Africa to attempt to solve the crisis. Also increased diplomatic pressure on South Africa was called for. Let us hope that other Nations including the United States get involved in crafting a peaceful solution.

In Conclusion the words used by President Mugabe to address Parliament in July of this year need to be heard. “ Non-Governmental Organizations must be instruments of betterment for the country and not against it. We cannot allow them to be conduits of foreign influence in National Affairs. And this statement from the Ministry of Public Service, Labor and Social Welfare” the mischief which the government wants to rid is that of foreign donors employing foreign puppets or others to champion foreign values much to the detriment of national security. The next pertinent question is what are they afraid of?